ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs in One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #511 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ teacher needed much guidance as he began teaching, for his lack of experience required the counsel of those who had taught for many years.

Possible Answers:

juvenile

young

substitute

student

novice

Correct answer:

novice

Explanation:

The key thing to note in this sentence is that the teacher in question lacks experience. Thus, we cannot say anything about his age—whether he is old or young remains unstated. Although it is usually used as a noun, the word "novice" can be used as an adjective to describe someone who is inexperienced. Thus, this teacher is best called a "novice teacher" because he is said to lack experience. The word "novice" comes from the Latin "novus," meaning new. We see this word in other English words like "novel" (an adjective describing something new) and "nova" in "supernova," which describes a kind of new brightness in the sky when a star explodes.

Example Question #1141 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although Richard thought he could go without sleep for long periods of time without any harm to his health, this sort of activity was in fact quite __________, leading him to become sickly and weak over time.

Possible Answers:

exhausting

fatiguing

detrimental

demanding

difficult

Correct answer:

detrimental

Explanation:

Now, it is likely that you will think that the sentence is describing Richard's lack of sleep as being "exhausting" or even "demanding;" however, the sentence really is not addressing this aspect of his lack of sleep. Instead, it is concerned to say that it was indeed a harm to his health, even though he did not think it would be. Thus, the best option is "detrimental," meaning harmful.

Example Question #1142 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The second computer seemed __________ to most of Nicholas’s family, who believed that it would add little benefit to that which he garnered from his already excellent laptop.

Possible Answers:

expensive

thrifty

redundant

overbearing

extreme

Correct answer:

redundant

Explanation:

The key point in this sentence is that Nicholas's new computer did not seem to add any benefit. It seemed to fill the same role as that of his original laptop. It was therefore superfluous. We do not know much about its cost, so "expensive" does not work well. The options "extreme" and "overwhelming" are not really justified by the subordinate clause which describes his family's reaction. Thus, the best option is "redundant," which means superfluous and not creating much additional benefit. A redundant thing is a kind of duplicate that really doesn't change matters—the first thing would be enough.

Example Question #1143 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Sebastian was a very __________ boss, expecting much from his workers, whom he believed to be capable of producing excellent products.

Possible Answers:

hateful

merciful

exacting

tedious

bewildering

Correct answer:

exacting

Explanation:

The key thing to note about Sebastian is that he had high expectations of "his workers." Now, this might have been tedious and bewildering for some and even hateful for others. Still, high expectations are not necessarily any of these things. All that we know is that he was demanding with such expectations, and "exacting" means just this.

Example Question #1144 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

During a growth spurt, children seem to have an endless appetite, __________ eating anything given to them.

Possible Answers:

voraciously

unhealthily

carefully

unquestioningly

childishly

Correct answer:

voraciously

Explanation:

The implication of this sentence is that children "during a growth spurt" will eat heartily and in great quantities. When someone has a voracious appetite, he or she has a seemingly "endless appetite." Thus, it is appropriate to say that such children's eating can be described by the adverb "voraciously."

Example Question #1145 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I accidently hit a parked car with my bike and had to offer my __________ apologies to the driver. 

Possible Answers:

docile 

morose 

profuse

garrulous 

laudable 

Correct answer:

profuse

Explanation:

If the speaker of this sentence hit a parked car with his bike it would make sense that he would want to offer his most sincere and abundant apology. The best answer choice here then is "profuse" which means copious and abundant. To provide further help, "docile" means calm; "laudable" means deserving of praise; "morose" means very sad and serious; "garrulous" means talkative

Example Question #1146 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His mother advised him not to give money to the homeless man who lived on his block, but his __________ nature took over and he could not help himself. 

Possible Answers:

altruistic 

pessimistic 

ebullient 

optimistic 

virulent 

Correct answer:

altruistic 

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence it is clear that the boy did not listen to his mother and did give money to the homeless man. Giving selflessly to others is an example of "altruism" so this is the correct answer. "Altruistic" means selfless, giving. To provide further help, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "virulent" means strong and powerful

Example Question #1147 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The lady is considered __________ because she claims that she can predict the future.

Possible Answers:

antagonistic

clairvoyant

contrarian

abstruse

serendipitous

Correct answer:

clairvoyant

Explanation:

Someone who is able to predict the future is called "clairvoyant." To provide further help, "serendipitous" means owed to good fortune; "antagonistic" means combative, seeking conflict; "contrarian" means someone who disagrees with others often and deliberately; "abstruse" means hard to understand

Example Question #1148 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The teacher was beloved by her students and when she retired she was given a certificate attesting to her __________ conduct. 

Possible Answers:

resilient

meritorious

blasphemous

pedestrian

blithe

Correct answer:

meritorious

Explanation:

You are told that the teacher was beloved by her students so when she retired it makes sense that she would be given a certificate that praises her or attests to how good of a teacher she was. The correct answer is therefore "meritorious." "Meritorious" means deserving of praise. To provide further help, "pedestrian" means mediocre; "resilient" means tough, able to deal with setbacks; "blasphemous" means irreverent, using disrespectful language particularly towards God; "blithe" means casual, indifferent.

Example Question #1149 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ figure arose and got out of bed. 

Possible Answers:

assiduous

nominal

disconsolate

recumbent

contrite

Correct answer:

recumbent

Explanation:

You are provided very little information in this problem. All you know is that the subject stood up, meaning he was previously lying down. This clue should lead you to the correct answer "recumbent" which means lying flat, lying down. To provide further help, "contrite" means remorseful, feeling sorry for something done; "nominal" means not important, insignificant; "disconsolate" means hopeless; "assiduous" means hard working.

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